Losing a tooth can be an upsetting — even devastating — experience, taking an immediate toll on both your appearance and oral health. Fortunately, a dental bridge can help, replacing one or more missing teeth without the invasiveness of surgery or the inconvenience of dentures.
At Novi Family Dentistry in Novi, Michigan, Abir Faraj, DDS, offers dental bridges using state-of-the-art materials for beautiful, natural-looking results. If you’re missing one or several teeth, here are four reasons you should consider a dental bridge.
Just a single missing tooth can have a dramatic effect on the way your smile looks and on your overall appearance. Missing teeth make your smile look worn and uncared for, and they also make you look a lot older.
When teeth are missing, it takes a toll on your face shape too, leading to a sunken appearance that can instantly age you. Dental bridges replace those missing teeth so you can maintain your smile aesthetics and overall appearance.
In addition to restoring the appearance of your smile, a dental bridge restores normal oral function — your bite mechanics and balance. Just one missing tooth can throw that balance off, resulting in uneven jaw strain and an increased risk of jaw pain (a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD).
With a dental bridge, you can chew normally and continue to enjoy your favorite foods. Replacing missing teeth avoids speech issues that can take a toll on your confidence too.
When you lose a tooth, your teeth on either side eventually begin to drift or lean inward toward the resulting gap. Over time, this subtle movement can lead to a weakening of your tooth roots, a precarious complication that can wind up leading to additional tooth loss.
By filling in the gap left by one or more missing teeth, a dental bridge prevents shifting, keeping your teeth aligned and reducing your risk of future tooth loss.
OK, technically these are two reasons rolled into one, but they’re equally important. Dental bridges are made of durable materials designed to withstand the rigors of biting and chewing while blending beautifully with your natural teeth.
Bridges are also very easy to care for — much easier than dentures. You care for a bridge like your natural teeth, with regular checkups, brushing, and flossing, paying a little extra attention to the gums that support your bridge and the teeth on either side.
Dental bridges play an important role in helping you maintain your smile, bite mechanics, facial appearance, and confidence. To learn more about bridges and other options focused on preserving your beautiful smile, call 313-646-7903 or book an appointment online at Novi Family Dentistry today.
